Concord, NH: House lawmakers have approved a trio of bills significantly liberalizing the state’s marijuana laws. However, it is uncertain whether Senate lawmakers will take up any of the measures.
House Bill 75 removes criminal and civil penalties for the possession and use of marijuana by adults. (State law currently imposes civil fines for the possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis. Possessing greater amounts is punishable by jail time.) House Bill 196 provides for the annulment of certain marijuana-related convictions. House Bill 53 provides qualified patients the option to home-cultivate medical marijuana. (The state’s medical marijuana law mandates patients purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries.)
All three measures passed the House by voice votes.
The three bills now await action from the Senate, which is more politically conservative than the House. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who has historically opposed any liberalization of the state’s marijuana laws, is likely to oppose all three bills.
Information and action alerts on over 70 pending marijuana-related bills are available from NORML’s Take Action Center.